Shadowing Practice: Master the "Royal" Accent: PRINCE HARRY Shadowing Practice (lesson #41) - Learn English Speaking with Video

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It is an honour to join you all on Nelson Mandela International Day.
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It is an honour to join you all on Nelson Mandela International Day.
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It is an honour to join you all on Nelson Mandela International Day.
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Having spent time with many of Mandela's family members over the years,
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Having spent time with many of Mandela's family members over the years,
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Having spent time with many of Mandela's family members over the years,
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I speak to you today with humility.
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I speak to you today with humility.
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Mindful of how much the man they loved means to so many.
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mindful of how much the man they loved means to so many.
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mindful of how much the man they loved means to so many.
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Those of us not fortunate enough to know Mandela well,
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Those of us not fortunate enough to know Mandela well
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Those of us not fortunate enough to know Mandela well have come to understand the man through his legacy
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legacy, have come to understand the man through his legacy, have come to understand the man through his legacy.
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The letters he wrote alone in his prison cell,
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The letters he wrote alone in his prison cell.
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The letters he wrote alone in his prison cell.
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The speeches he delivered to his people.
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The speeches he delivered to his people.
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The speeches he delivered to his people.
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And those incredible shirts that he sported.
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And those incredible shirts that he sported.
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and those incredible shirts that he sported.
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We've also come to know him through the photographs of a
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person who We've also come to know him through the photographs of a person who
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We've also come to know him through the photographs of a person who even when confronting unimaginable cruelty and injustice
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Even when confronting unimaginable cruelty and injustice,
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almost always had a smile on his face.
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Almost always had a smile on his face.
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Almost always had a smile on his face.
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For me, there's one photo in particular that stands out.
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For me, there's one photo in particular that stands out.
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For me, there's one photo in particular that stands out.
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On my wall and in my heart every day.
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my wall and in my heart every day On my wall and in my heart every day
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is an image of my mother and Mandela meeting in Cape Town in 1997.
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is an image of my mother
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and Mandela meeting in Cape Town in 1997 is an image of my mother
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and Mandela meeting in Cape Town in 1997.
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The photo was presented to me by the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
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The photo was presented to me by the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
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The photo was presented to me by the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu whose friendship and inspiration were their own treasured gift
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whose friendship and inspiration were their own treasured gift whose friendship and inspiration were their own treasured gift.
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In our own time, a time of global uncertainty and division.
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In our own time, a time of global uncertainty and division.
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In our own time, a time of global uncertainty and division,
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when it's all too easy to look around and feel anger or despair,
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when it's all too easy to look around and feel anger or despair,
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When it's all too easy to look around and feel anger or despair.
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I've been inspired to go back to Mandela's writings for insight.
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I've been inspired to go back to Mandela's writings for insight.
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I've been inspired to go back to Mandela's writings for insight into how this could be.
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into how this could be.
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into how this could be.
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how he could experience so much darkness,
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how he could experience so much darkness,
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how he could experience so much darkness and always manage to find the light.
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and always manage to find the light.
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And always manage to find the light.
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It is an honour to join you all on Nelson Mandela International Day.
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Having spent time with many of Mandela's family members over the years, I speak to you today with humility,
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mindful of how much the man they loved means to so many.
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Those of us not fortunate enough to know Mandela well have come to understand the man through his legacy,
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the letters he wrote alone in his prison cell, the speeches he delivered to his people,
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and those incredible shirts that he sported.
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We've also come to know him through the photographs of a person who, even when confronting unimaginable cruelty and injustice,
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almost always had a smile on his face.
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For me, there's one photo in particular that stands out.
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On my wall and in my heart every day
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is an image of my mother and Mandela meeting in Cape Town in 1997.
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The photo was presented to me by the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, whose friendship and inspiration were their own treasured gift.
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In our own time, a time of global uncertainty and division, when it's all too easy to look around and feel anger or despair,
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I've been inspired to go back to Mandela's writings for insight into how this could be.
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How he could experience so much darkness and always manage to find the light.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, learners will engage in shadow speech practice by emulating Prince Harry's articulate delivery during his speech on Nelson Mandela International Day. This activity focuses on enhancing your English speaking practice through the use of the shadowing technique, which involves listening to and mimicking native speakers in real time. By adopting Prince Harry's "Royal" accent, you will not only improve your pronunciation and intonation but also gain insight into effective speech patterns used in formal settings. This session offers a rich opportunity for learners to deepen their understanding of emotional expression through spoken language.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Honour: A deep respect or recognition; often used in formal speech.
  • Humility: A modest view of one's own importance; crucial for conveying sincerity.
  • Legacy: Something handed down by a predecessor, vital for understanding historical context.
  • Confronting: Facing or dealing with a difficult situation, useful for discussing challenges.
  • Unimaginable: Difficult to conceive; can emphasize the severity of an issue.
  • Inspiration: The process of being mentally stimulated to do something, an essential concept in motivational speeches.
  • Global uncertainty: A phrase addressing worldwide challenges; helps in discussing contemporary issues.

Practice Tips

When applying the shadowing technique in this lesson, focus on the rhythm and tone of Prince Harry’s speech. His clear articulation and pauses are important elements to replicate. Here are some specific practice tips to enhance your experience:

  • Start by listening to a segment of the speech without speaking. Pay close attention to the intonation and emphasis he uses, particularly in emotionally charged sections.
  • Rewind and listen to shorter phrases, then mimic them aloud. This will help you develop your shadowspeak abilities and improve your fluency in English.
  • Notice the varying pace of his speech; some parts are delivered quickly while others are slower. Match your speed accordingly to gain better control of your own speaking pace.
  • Record yourself shadowing the speech, then listen back to compare your pronunciation and emotional delivery with the original. This constructive feedback loop is invaluable.
  • Incorporate the key vocabulary into your shadowing practice, making sure to use them in context as you mimic the phrases.

By utilizing these practice tips and focusing on the unique aspects of Prince Harry’s speaking style, you can enhance your English speaking proficiency and confidence through regular shadowing exercises.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.